Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport is the second-largest airport of Baden-Württemberg and is located in Rheinmünster, 40 km south of Karlsruhe and 12 km west of Baden-Baden.
It was a former military base of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The CAF closed its base in 1993. The first commercial flight took place in April 2001 and was operated by Hapag-Lloyd (now TUIfly). On 25 Ocotober 2011, Ryanair opned its 47th base at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport.

ATC Tower at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport during FIFA World Cup 2014.

Official Spotting Locations

Visitors Terrace

There is a visitors terrace on the north side of the terminal (Coordinates: 48.779588, 8.088990) which offers a view of the apron, the taxiway and the Runway 03/21. The entry is free.
Take account that you have only a limited view due to buildings and trees.
Here are a few examples.

Air Berlin Airbus A320

Etihad Regional (operated by Darwin Airline) Saab 2000

Other Spotting Locations

Runway 21

If the winds are in favor of the Runway 21 being used, which is the case most of the times, there is one spot in particular where you can take really good photos of the approaching aircraft. Since this spot brings you pretty close to the action you won't be needing a lot of focal length to get good results. 200mm will be enough to cover the aircraft coming in on Runway 21.
For photos of aircrafts which are departing, you will need a little ladder or you can try to take photos through the fence. Be careful, as regular checks are made by police along the fence.
Here are a few examples for this spot.

To get to this location from the terminal you will have to drive in the dircetion of Hügelsheim.
Drive via Halifax Avenue B and Airport Boulevard B to the roundabout and take the third exit (left). Follow the Victoria Boulevard and Dieter-Rückle-Street. After 1,75km turn left into Cabot Trail. There is a parking spot after around 350m. From there you should walk a few meters back because the aircrafts are flying right above this parking spot.
Coordinates: 48.792193, 8.095876

Runway 03

Should be the Runway 03 in use, there are two spots at the end of the Runway. Since both spots bring you pretty close to the action you won't be needing a lot of focal length to get good results. 200mm will be enough to cover the aircraft coming in on Runway 03.

The first spot is at the end of a big unpaved path (Coordinates: 48.764605, 8.070102). There you are able to take photos of approaching aircrafts till they cross the fence. Moreover you can take photos through the gate.
Take account of that this spot is faced to the west so you have backlight till midday. Later in the day, the second spot is recommended since you are also able to face east at this spot.
Here are a few examples for this spot.

The second spot is on a large meadow along the fence (Coordinates: 48.765751, 8.066160). You can choose your preferred distance to the fence. At this spot you are able to take photos of approaching aircrafts. For photos of aircrafts which are departing, you will need a little ladder since there are two fences between the meadow and the runway and taxiway.
Here are a few examples for this spot.

To get to this location from the terminal you will have to drive in the direction of Sector D. Drive via Halifax Avenue B and Airport Boulevard B to the roundabout and take the first exit (right). Follow the Victoria Boulevad C and turn left after around 750m. It is a little road through the woods. After a sharp turn you will reach a crossroad. Turn right and after 1,9km turn right again. After another around 1,4km turn right in a small left turn into a dirt road. There is a parking spot (Coordinates: 48.763489, 8.064614). Now you have to walk a few meters to the spots.
To get to the first spot, follow the big unpaved path to the gate at the end of the path.
To get to the second spot, follow a little path on the left side of the big unpaved path to the large meadow. You can choose your prefered spot on the meadow.

Business Aviation

South of the terminal, there is an extra apron at sector D for business aviation at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport. You can take photos of the business jets through a fence or you can use a ladder.
Take account of that the business airlines want to protect the privacy of their customers and therefore they do not like to see planespotters at the fence.

To get to this location from the terminal you will have to drive to Sector D. Drive via Halifax Avenue B and Airport Boulevard B to the roundabout and take the first exit (right). Follow the Victoria Boulevad C and turn right after around 800m. At the end of Yellowknife Avenue D there is a parking spot for the employees. This parking spot is right at the fence (Coordinates: 48.773980, 8.083652).
Here are a few examples for this spot.

Freight

AirestSaab 340F

Special Traffic

Business Aviation

Two business airlines are based at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport. That is why many flights with business jets take place.

German Air Rescue

The German Air Rescure (DRF Luftrettung) has a maintenance hangar for its helicopters at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport. Moreover the German Air Rescue has based two Learjet 35A at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport.

Training flights

Due to the short distance to the Frankfurt Main Airport Lufthansa often comes to the Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport for training flights. In the past Lufthansa came with the Airbus A380-800, Airbus A340-300, Airbus A320neo, and McDonnell Douglas MD-11F.